Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-12-19
Bishop Keane ON Leo xIEH.

BISHOP hPaHc On Leo ARAR.
HarEis's BJuu Theatre, Washington, was
packed from orchestra TO gallery last even
iug, the event being lecture By the Right
Rev. ] ]. Keane, bishop OF Richmond, on
''The Golden Jubilee of Pope Leo KILL" in
behalf of the proposed Washington Univer-
sity. The bishop appeared clad in his pom
tifcial robes, spoke without notes. and was
frequently interrupted by continued np
plause.
No grander theme can be chosen" said
the bishop, than the character of that
mighty pontif who, holding the most sub
lime Office on this earth. adorns it so that
the whole world pays him the tribute of ad
mira'ion and respect, without regard to
creed, and who on being called to his sub
lime responsibility in one OF the most orti
cal periods of huUan history, when every
step is Taught with momentous conse-
queuces, has fulfilled his high trust with q
devote0ne ness and lofty wisdom which ruay
we'll be con idered more than human. 1t is
his connection with the epoch in which We
live that the character and work of Leo
! XIII will best be understood He will al
VA, be cue Of the landmarks of the nine
teenth century and in hat light We will re
/ gard him" The speaker said that men of
| to-day lived la the great transitional epoch
| of humanity, which had its birth more than
huudI ed years ago, the world stil Uhrii-
| iag witn its vibrations, while for fifty years
! lser he heir breath, Tearing lest anarchy
should seize ali Chrisendom. TO those
wiling TO see the latter half of the century
was br!pht with hope, aud amid the parting
| clouds the God OF wisdom and order WAS
stIl! seen sitting on his throne guiding the
monarch Of tine. The great dangers
menaciug the church during the
time Of Plus TX were refe red TO at
| length, which arose from the eXuberance Of
forces within society, and from The extremes
10 which even the best tendencies are prone
to go ; also from the development and as
sertloD OF popular aud individual rights.
| Plus TX averted dangers by the issue of
dogmas. the Immacu ate Conception and ps-
pal pfalbility, the latter rem nding the
world that amid the changes of human
authority, the authority of the kingdom Of
Christ upon earth should stand "a fiem
and unchanged rs He who established it,
always remaining unchanged and still
| changing, like the soul IN man, which is al
| fected by its environment, The church modi-
fyng ts outward form 10 De all 10 all. The
dsy OF absolute governments was over, and
never again would o nation's laws be made by
one man. or q set of men other than as the
agents of the people, for whose welfare alone
laws should be made The church had no
desire to hinder or hamper the State in its
legitimate sphere. nor should the State de-
sire 20 hinder the church in her rgbtful
province Government 20 be successful,
must secure freedom Of religion by her hold
upon the affections Of the people. Leo
XIII, Oh briDg called 10 the chair ofFet5r, was
prepared 10 carry OF the work ofhis great pre-
decessor. Although educated in the old
school he Was quick TO see:the signs ofthe new
era, and brave enough to lift his voice andin.
fluence in behalf of the down trodden work
ingmen OF Europe. EuglaDd's willy con-
ciliation failed in securing his influence
against home rule in poor, down trodden
Ireland while the grim iron chancellor had
been compelled to sJop his persecution of
German Catholics. The discomfort OF the
working classes was q cause of sadness 10
Pope Leo, who upheld them in all legal
efforts o secure their rights. The fondness
of the holy father for America was dwelt on
at length, where the grandest advance yet
reached in the civilization of the new era had
been attained. The split of the age was
progress not materialsm, socialism, ag
nosticisn, ansrchism, atheism, which re.
ceived the severest condemnation from Leo,
and with which religion and society could
not exist. Another cause of sadness to the
holy fsther was the alienation existing be-
tween him and bis beloved Italy, and to see
Rome and Italy reduced to the level Of a
little power. While the official capacity OF
Leo commanded the respect and admiration
of eli men, a glimpse into his private life re-
vealed man without compare. The great
need of the proposed university where Cath
olic youth would be taught the great prin-
Clip es of the universal church, and which
received Lso's hearty approval, was dwelt
on at eGgth